First visit!

[Altea]

Ooops! Didn't mean to start a riot   now I'm completely confused .... Not really, just joking. I am impressed with the abundace of replies and It's good to know that so many 'spirited' folk are regulars in San Stefano's!!! It's decided, we will take a bit of each, Sterling, Euros & Cards and look forward to a wonderful week. 

[Jimbo]

Whether I get more than 1.20 on my credit cards depends very much on the exchange rate mechanism between now and then.

That was exactly my point!

[Waspman]

Quote from the Telegraph last year

"The best credit card deals
If you want to make your holiday spending go further, use a credit card in shops and restaurants, preferably one that doesn’t impose a foreign loading fee. Halifax’s Clarity Card is the standout card"

And that is exactly my point.

[Andy7]

Hmmm, Waspman is right but I still prefer cash as do the local Taverna owners and retailers. I imagine cash is easier to deal with when deciding how much you owe the tax man.

One problem with cards also is that the cash till at Thomas Bay is often empty!

Andy

[Ioanna]

Hmmm, Waspman is right but I still prefer cash as do the local Taverna owners and retailers. I imagine cash is easier to deal with when deciding how much you owe the tax man.

One problem with cards also is that the cash till at Thomas Bay is often empty!

Andy

There is always the cashpoint at SS travel but I agree the taverna owners prefer cash for obvious reasons !

[romanza man]

Altea, just go and enjoy your holiday, whether you take cards, cash or whatever, everyone in San Stef will welcome you with open arms. Enjoy your holiday.

[Ioanna]

Altea, just go and enjoy your holiday, whether you take cards, cash or whatever, everyone in San Stef will welcome you with open arms. Enjoy your holiday.

You are so right , holidays are for relaxing so just go ahead and enjoy yourself !

[Altea]

Thanks so much Romanza man & loanna, counting down the days now and really looking forward to our holiday! 😊

[Waspman]

One problem with cards also is that the cash till at Thomas Bay is often empty!

Andy

The thing is Andy, that you don't use overseas credit cards for cash points (ATM's), only for purchases

[stressed0506]

Following all of the info on here I have just succumbed and applied for the Halifax card! I will probably still use cash for most things but it will be a good back up I think. Thanks for all of the info guys.

[Waspman]

Following all of the info on here I have just succumbed and applied for the Halifax card! I will probably still use cash for most things but it will be a good back up I think. Thanks for all of the info guys.

Very wise person, try it out and let us all know how the exchange rate worked out when you use it in Agios Stefanos, don't use it in the UK though.

[rilo57]

Im so happy i dont have this problem,no worries with exchange rates here in Belgium.Apart from geting sterling when visiting family in uk.

[Waspman]

I'm was and am talking about taking Euros. We have plenty of Euros bought at the highest available rate. If you can get over 1.2 on your card in the summer I'll buy you supper!

Currently the pound is strong against the $ and the €, but there is no guarantee that that will last. Given that the GBP base rate is at an unusually high rate (1.2134) at the moment the chances of it going higher are slender.

Waspman is skewing the argument to the exchange of £s in AS. The simple unassailable fact is that taking € notes bought at at a good rate is the best way to maximise your spending money.

The GBP (Great Britain Pound) hit a high this week, 1.22 against the Euro.

I've just got euros at a rate of 1.222 (with no commission charges) using a debit card at an ATM, hopefully more tomorrow and the next day at the same, or better rate. Fairfx rate today is 1.2115

Well worth a gamble wasn't it Jim?

Looks like supper could be on you Jimbo?

[Jimbo]

I've just got a Clarity card! Thanks!

Supper depends upon the Mastercard exchange rate at billing time. Now is a good time for cash, but July may be different. Who knows?

FairFX is currently showing 1.2005 for prepaid card loading. TravelFX is 1.2040 for cash.

[Waspman]

Jimbo, you're listening to me at last, congratulations on the Halifax Clarity card, you'll find it good.

You are right, now is a good time for cash (euros) and as you say July could well be different.

I just hope things stay as they are as I am now getting 1.22 on all my overseas cards.

See you in July